Audentes Fortuna Luvat

The Empire of Mann. A continent, of the same name, spanning nation that held a population of two billion people. Distributed almost evenly save for the sparsely cold east. The highland mountains in the west. Instead, the population of the empire were founded in the central plains that had dozens of rivers. The rich fertile south. Better known as the golden fields, the bread basket, and the milk of the empire.

The political center being quite literally in the center of the continent being Mannberg. The emperor ruling for most of the year moving maybe to the south for winter and the north for summer. However, direct rule was unnecessary, instead relying on the antiquated and ancestral rights of the noble class to rule in his stead. The five great ducal houses under the emperor held the real power.

In the end though decadence and corruption rotted the pillars of the empire resulting in the aptly dubbed spring of revolution under Emperor Charles the Fat. Due to the ever inflation of the Krone, which was one of several forms of currency issued at the time, caused the immediate decline of multiple prominent merchant companies. Which snowballed into rising prices. Which caused higher taxes to be issued. The people, military, and some prominent nobles revolted.

The first of these were the highland revolts. A series of clans had declared independence to form the Highland confederacy. Which were crushed in the expeditions of 15, 45, and finally 75. However, in the revolt of 84, their prince Jacob Steward, led a series of sorties. In the battle of Millard’s Heights. The clans and Steward led a charge in a disorganized expedition that led to the death of duke Isaac and twelve thousand imperials soldiers.

In the north. The Dukedom of Heiliger. Revolted, due to a lack of imperial support and an increase in tributes. The dukedom fought a series of battles resulting in the battle of Howard’s Forest. Where the young duke led an army of 24 thousand against an imperial army three times their size. There the young duke was crowned king and given the moniker “Wall of the North.”

In Mannberg a prominent advocate for democracy. A professor by the name of George Maxwell, was taken by the imperial guard was taken as prisoner and hung for treasonous reasons. His students from the local university along with a portion of the local militia rioted and soon revolted against the empire. A commune was set up but ultimately failed in the coming days.

The government captured and then executed the students and captains that assisted in the revolt. Which caused further protest and riots. Eventually resulting in further disobedience. Until finally on the 5th of the 10th month. A mother was beaten for thievery by the local constabulary. Which resulted in local members rushing to the mother’s aid. Further violence caused the military to become involved.

General O'Hare feeling the plight of the people revolted along with several regiments causing the city to declare a democratic council. Arresting the imperial family. In the coming days. The imperial family called for the deaths of prominent members of the council. Resulting in the execution of Charles the fat along with his wives.

The coming week saw the empire fracture even more. Generals who had armies quickly surrendered to the council or created minor fiefdoms for themselves. The council seeing noble officers pillage the countryside and fracturing the government even more started to either investigate and arrest nobles or straight out execute them.

General O’Hare wasn’t exempt from this. When it became clear he helped several nobles escape from the capital. He along with his elder son were arrested, tried, and executed for treason.

To the south of the republic was the remnants of the empire. The assembly of nobles fled the capital taking with them the youngest surviving child of Charles the fat. Taking control of the breadbasket of the former empire. An inevitable clash between the two. However, the ancient empire quickly tried to reform. Arguing for days on end to fix their failing nation.

Further south the former loyal duchy of Oberstein. Fell into civil war. The head of the household died suddenly where his will pushed for his second son to take the duchy. However, the older objected breaking the duchy in two. In this midst of the war. Their elder sister by the want of the prominent members of the city of Bremen was given control of the city creating a new noble family with a count. Creating the Anne-Oberstein family.

The empire seeing this gave the elder daughter the right to govern as a duchess until the family civil war ended. They had also with the promise of tribute was given protection from the warring brothers.

In the far east lies the Five City Council was a series of independent city states that used mercenaries to protect and guard its borders. People had traveled across the continent to work as mercenaries and adventures to defend the cities.

Finally in the south eastern part of the continent across the straits of Golgotha. Lies the Duchy of Wallenstein. When the empire collapsed. The Duchess decided to declare independence. Buying time by offering the empire her second daughter to the young child of the empire. The duchies navy offers a more physical defense to deter any form of invasion.

The board has been set as the continent devolves into chaos. Will these nations survive the coming struggle. That is not to be known. Instead let us hope that through bravery. They may be fortunate.